Sonnetts; "The Long Love" and "Love That Doth Reign"

In the first decade of the 16th century the two most important poets were, Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, earl of Surrey. They have made significant contribution towards the development of English literature during the reign of King Henry VIII. Both translated Petrach's work but with comparative difference in form and style. "The Long Love" by Wyatt and "Love that doth reign" by Surrey are translation of Petrach's 150th {109} sonnet. Each of these translated sonnet mirrors their respective poets' strength and distinguished conception of `love'.

The sonnets deal with the speaker who loves a lady, but she will not permit him to declare his love. It is the portrayal of emotions complaints and personal expression of love by lover. Wyatt's sonnet is the insightful representation of the poet's dual observation of love. He exposes two sides of love, physical and spiritual but there is no bond between them. This concept is different from the Petrach's mold of love concept. However, Surrey follows the traditional petrachian theme version. His sonnet is much more commanding version. He expresses the speaker's feelings as unrelinquishing, relating love as lives pinnacle achievement.

Although there is difference in handling of love theme but the confusion is reflected in both. Surrey's language is `modern' and easy to understand then Wyatt's difficult language for instance the expression for love reflecting on face is expressed by Surrey as "Oft in my face he doth his banner rest" and Wyatt expressed it as "Into my face presseth with bold pretence." Comparing both it is easy to grasp Surrey's language then Wyatt's; his language and structure is complex. Wyatt's language has strong and forceful impression its more business like. S...

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...Surrey's sonnet has English form also referred as Elizabethan sonnet {three quatrains with alternate rhymes and a final couplet} i.e: abab cdcd ecec ff. Wyatt's is of Petrachian form but with little difference in sextet rhyming i.e: abba cdc cde. The rhyming scheme reflects the influence of the respective time on Surrey and Wyatt. In Surrey there is iambic rhythm in thought, fought, breast, rest etc. while in Wyatt's there is stress only on last syllable which is called iambuses which are banner, suffer, pleasure, etc.

On the whole these both translations of Petrach's sonnet are portraying their respective poets. To compare both sonnets over all the Surrey's version has less strength but more polish than Wyatt. He is more successful in fitting the accent to the normal accent of the word in spoken language, but he lacks the originality of Wyatt's creative touches.